A great business name does more than just sound good, it tells your story, connects with your audience, and lays the foundation for your brand’s logo and visual identity. If you’re unsure where to start, don’t worry. We’ve broken down the process into clear, manageable steps to help you brainstorm, refine, and choose a name that truly represents your vision and sets your brand apart.

Understand Your Brand’s Identity

What does your business stand for?
Think about your mission, vision, and values. Your name should reflect the essence of what you do and what you want to convey to your audience.

Who is your target audience?
Consider your ideal customers and the language or tone that will resonate with them. A playful or quirky name may appeal to a different demographic than a serious, professional one.

Brainstorm Ideas

Start with keywords:
List words that relate to your product or service, industry, or the feeling you want to evoke. Use this list as a starting point to combine words, create new terms, or get inspired.

Consider wordplay:
Look for clever ways to combine words or use metaphors, but make sure the name still works on its own. A good name should sound appealing and make sense even if someone doesn’t immediately catch the reference.

Keep it simple:
Short, easy-to-remember names tend to stick better in people’s minds. Avoid overly complicated, hard-to-pronounce, or excessively long names, which can be challenging for domains, social media handles, and logo design.

Check for Availability

Domain name:
Make sure the domain for your chosen name is available. A matching domain makes it easier for customers to find your website. Tools like Namecheap can help you check domain availability.

Social media handles:
Ensure the name is available across key social media platforms. Consistency is key for building brand recognition.

Trademark and business name search:
Before you fall in love with a name, do a quick trademark and business name search to make sure you’re not stepping on anyone’s toes. You can use resources like the Georgia Business Search to confirm that your name isn’t already in use. This step can help you avoid legal issues and confusion down the road.

Test Your Name

Say it out loud:
Does it sound good when you say it? Sometimes, names that look great on paper don’t sound as natural when spoken.

Ask for feedback:
Run your name by a few trusted people (friends, family, or potential customers) to see what they think. You might get useful insights about the name’s appeal and whether it communicates the right message.

Check for double meanings:
Make sure your name doesn’t have unintended or negative meanings in other languages or cultures, especially if you plan to operate internationally. Avoid names that could carry offensive, insensitive, or unpleasant connotations. Your business name should make people feel positively about your brand from the start.

Ensure It’s Brandable

Visual appeal:
Think about how your business name will look in a logo or on marketing materials. Does it lend itself to a strong visual identity? You want a name that’s flexible, visually balanced, and easy to incorporate into a logo design.

Think long-term:
Choose a name that won’t box you in. If your business expands or evolves, will the name still fit? A name that’s too specific to one product or service might limit your ability to diversify in the future.

Make It Meaningful and Memorable

Resonate with your audience:
The best names evoke an emotional response or tell a story. Try to make your name meaningful to your target audience, whether through humor, nostalgia, or a connection to your mission.

Be unique but thoughtful:
A name that stands out from competitors is more likely to be remembered, but avoid names that could be misinterpreted or carry a negative tone. Playful or pun-based names can work beautifully, but they should still sound appealing and professional even without the pun.

Think About SEO

Searchability:
A business name that is easy to search online is important for visibility. Avoid using generic terms that may be hard to rank for on search engines. A unique name makes it easier to appear in search results.

Keywords:
While you don’t want to go overboard, incorporating relevant keywords into your business name can help with search engine optimization (SEO) if it makes sense for your brand.

Once you’ve landed on the perfect business name, the next step is bringing that name to life visually. Lara J Designs specializes in creating stunning logos that capture the essence of your business. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining your vision, we can craft a logo and branding package that helps your business make a lasting impression. Visit our Logo FAQ to learn more about logo pricing and about how the logo design process works.